Charles Oliveira was KO’d mid-way through the first round of his lightweight title challenge against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June, and now the former champion has admitted that strategic errors cost him dearly in the fight.
“My reflection is simple: sometimes we try to prove something we don’t need to prove,” Oliveira told Thunderpicks. “I had trained a lot of movement, calf kicks, one-twos, takedown entries, combos leading to high kicks — all that.
“But when the fight started, I just wanted to show off. I believed too much in my hands, in my knockout power. I kept waiting for the perfect moment to land, but he was way faster than me because I was standing there waiting for one shot. He was way quicker…
“His game plan worked better than mine. It was his night. His timing was better. His punch landed before mine. He deserves all the respect in the world—it was his moment.
“Meanwhile, I was waiting for something I shouldn’t have waited for.
“What should I have done? Moved. But I didn’t. I didn’t do anything I trained for. I just stood in front of him and paid the price. That’s why I went home, stayed close to my family, and went back to training. Because there’s still so much to prove, so much to do.
“I’ve been in the UFC for 15 years. I’d never been knocked out before — this was the first time. But I don’t need anyone to pick me up. It’s up to me. So, I’ve already gotten back up, and I’m moving forward. Like I said, that night is over. Now, it’s about the next one.”
Oliveira will now look to get back to winning ways in a newly announced fight against Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC FIght Night 261 in Rio de Janeiro on October 11th.
